Argyll charity founder awarded Westminster’s Human Rights award

An award ceremony was held in the Palace of Westminster today (7th February) to recognise the extraordinary work of local Argyll man and founder of Mary’s Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow.

The ‘Westminster Award for Human Life, Human Rights and Human Dignity’, recognises the outstanding contribution and achievements of individuals that safeguard the dignity and right to life of human beings.
Argyll and Bute MP, Brendan O’Hara who attended the ceremony said afterwards

“I am extremely honoured to be here at this award ceremony to see Magnus’ achievements recognised by this award and I am extremely proud that Mary’s Meals has become synonymous with Argyll and despite being a global charity they have remained true to their humble roots here in Argyll. Because of his work and the efforts of Mary’s Meals, 1.2 million children around the world are fed every single day and they have ensured that millions of people from the world’s poorest communities have been saved from a life of hunger and misery. This award could not have been given to a more deserving person than Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow.”

Mary’s Meals began when Magnus along with his brother, so touched by the plight of those affected by the conflict in the Balkans in the 1990s, began a local appeal for food and blankets and then drove those donations to Bosnia. As the donations continued to pour in, Mary’s Meals grew into what it has become today with a simple mission which is to provide one meal a day to those children who attend school in the world’s poorest communities. Today, Mary’s Meals feeds over a million children per day around the world.